Brooklands Avenue: Stirling Prize for Architecture

This year’s Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Stirling Prize for architecture has been awarded to Brooklands Avenue – an affordable housing scheme which is part of the award winning Accordia development in Cambridge.

The £14.3 million Brooklands Avenue scheme was made possible by a partnership between Wherry Housing Association, the Countryside and Cambridge City Council. It comprises of 113 units for rent, shared ownership and key workers, and sits alongside £1m privately owned properties.

Three architect firms, including Fielden Clegg Bradley Studios, Alison Brooks and Macreanor Lavington, worked on the design of Brooklands Avenue which was described by the judging panel as “high density housing at its very best”. It was funded by the Housing Corporation in 2004/05.

Commenting on the award, the judging panel said; “These beautifully thought-through houses are linked by a series of public, semi-public and private but visible open spaces, making the whole development a joy to walk through. Houses and flats have good-sized, well-proportioned rooms with views out ranging from the urban views to rural pasture.

This development proves that good modern housing sells, that a committed local authority can have a very positive influence on the design, that a master plan with a range of architects can be successful and that the very best architecture does not need to rely on gimmicks. This will be a project that will be much referred to and used a future case study.”

• View all our award-winning developments

05/11/08 16:43